Skirt-holder.



' N0. 713,972. Patented Nov. I8, |902.

L. D. EDMUNDS.

SKIRT HDLDER.

(Application led July 11, 1902.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

LOU O. EDMUNDS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS..

SKIRT-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,972, dated November 18, 1902.

Application iiled July l1, 1902.A Serial No. 115,187. (No model.)

T0 all whom, tm/ry concern:

Be it known that I, LOU` C. EDMUNDS, a citizen of the United States, `residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Skirt-Holders, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to a skirt holder or supporter and fob adapted also to hold a watch and fan; and the object of the same is to provide a unique and efcient device of a simple and eiective construction having the combined uses set forth and an ornamental appearance and to efficiently and practically support or hold a skirt elevated without requiring continual attention by the wearer.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the improved device shown applied in operative position. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View of the upper attachment forming a part of the improved device. Fig. 3 is a transverse Vertical section through the device shown by Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the lower clasp looking toward the rear side thereof. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section through the clasp shown by Fig. 4 and illustrating in dotted lines the several positions of the member for controlling the opening and closing movements of the clasp.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several Views.

The numeral 1 designates an upper hanger or member of the improved device, which consists of athin metal plate doubled 011 itself to provide a hook 2, adapted to be caught over an inner belt or the waistband of a skirt and also having an outer elongated transversely-extending loop 3. An auxiliary hook 4 is cut from the bent portion of the hanger or member 1 and is projected forwardly and inclined upwardly to serve as a means for connecting the terminal of a watch -chain thereto or removably holding a fan. A fob strap or band 5 is secured at its upper end to the loop 3 and depends any suitable distance below the latter, the lower extremity of said strap or band being secured to a lower clasp 6,coinprising a front medallion-plate 7, which may be provided with any suitable design to produce an ornamental appearance, the fob band or strap and the lower clasp,with the medallion-plate,producing a holder simulatinga fob. The lower clasp 6 also comprises a pair of spring-jaws S and 9, formed from a strip of sheet metal of a resilient nature having its lower terminals bent in curved planes in reverse directions to provide the said jaws. The member 10, having the jaw 9 formed on the lower end thereof, is constructed with fulcrum-ears 11, bent in planes at right angles thereto in a rearward direction and embracing portions of the opposite side edges of the member 12, continuing into the jaw 8. Between the said ears 11 a clamping-lever 13 ispivotally mounted and has a lower outwardly-extending angular extremity 14 terminally held in continual engagement with the member 12 and having at its upper end a laterally-extended loop 14a for convenience in grasping and operating the said lever. Thelower outwardly-extending angular extremity 14 of the lever 13 acts as a cam in relation to the jaw 8, and when the lever 13 is drawn upwardly into the vertical position shown by Figs. 4 and 5 the jaw 8 will be firmly clamped or closed against the jaw 9. When the lever 13 is drawn downwardly, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5, the angular extremity 14 is released from the adjacent portion of the member 12, and the jaw 8 by its own resiliency springs awayfrom the jaw 9. The member 10 is also formed with laterally-projecting loops 15, from which the ears 11 are cut, the outer terminals of the loop 15 being bent outwardly at an angle, as at 16, and secured to diametrically opposed portions of the rearface of the medallion-plate 7. A loop 17 is also formed at the upper bend of the members 10 and 12, and therein is held an upstanding ring 18, which is also adapted to be ornamented on its front face, and through the said ring and the loops 15 the lower extremity of the fob band or strap 5 is passed and hides the rear construction of the clasp from exterior View and more fully gives to the improved holder the appearance of a fob.

In utilizing the device the hook 2 ofthe hanger 1 is caught over a portion of the garment at the waist under the usual belt, and in attaching the skirt thereto the lever 13 is drawn downwardly to permit the jaw 8 to open rearwardly from the jaw 9. The skirt is then drawn upwardly, as may be desired, and a portion thereof pulled in between the two jaws, and the lever 13 is again drawn upwardly to a vertical position .to force the jaw 8 toward the jaw 9 and clamp the engaged portion of the skirt against accidental disengagemen t. By means of the improved device the inconvenience arising from continual grasping of a skirt to elevate it is obviated and the wearer is permitted to have free use of both hands. It is obvious that the lever 13 could be reversely positioned and when in locking position depend below the ears instead of above the latter, and in either arrangement it will be observed that the said lever will be prevented from becoming accidentally disengaged from a locking position by close engagement with the skirt in rear thereof. It is proposed to form the hanger 1 and clasp 6 of diferent kinds of materials of varying grades, and to suit dilferent uses or applications changes in the proportions, dimensions, formand minor details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a device of the class set forth, the combination of an upper hanger, a front out- Wardly-extending and upwardly-projecting auxiliary hook, and a loop below the latter, and a fob-band secured to the said loop and having an ornamental clasp held on the lower extremity thereof to engage a skirt.

2. In a device of the class set forth, the combination of a suspending-strap and a clasp on the lower extremity thereof adapted to engage a skirt to hold the latter elevated, the said clasp comprising doubled members terminating in lower jaws, a ring in the upper bend of said members, the one member having rearwardly-projecting ears and laterallyprojecting loops, a medallion-plate secured to said loops, and a clamping-lever pivotally mounted between the said ears.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LOU C. EDMUNDS.

Witnesses:

THERESE RHEINISH, AL. C. Low. 

